[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [State and Government in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949) › c12.s8.2 # State and Government in Ancient India c12.s8.2 State and Government in Ancient India c12.s8.2 - **Language:** English ### [c12.s8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8.2) It must be admitted at the outset that no constitutional checks in the modern sense of the word were devised by our ancient thinkers. It is likely that the \*samiti\* or the Popular Assembly of the Vedic age functioned as a constitutional check upon the king; there is evidence to show that a king could hardly maintain his position, if this Assembly was not in agreement with him. The powers of the Popular Assembly, however, declined as centuries rolled on; it also disappeared from the scene by \*c.\* 500 B. C.; and its place was not taken by any similar body. The king could punish his subjects for their breach of duty in his own law courts; there was, however, no Popular Assembly or forum in the post-Vedic period, which could effectively control the king if he became oppressive. The ministry in normal times no doubt provided an efficient check; but as ministers held their posts during the king's pleasure they felt powerless if a king was too self-willed and tyrannical to be amenable to the force of public opinion. - [Previous: c12.s8.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8.1) - [Next: c12.s8.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8.3) - [Up: c12.s8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c12.s8.2) · Pramāṇa